Gameday Photos

Biography

Rob Gronkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Named a co-captain for the first time in 2016.

In 2011, set NFL single-season records for touchdowns (18) and receiving yards (1,327) by a tight end and became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the conference in scoring with 108 points.

Became the first tight end in NFL history with three straight 10-plus touchdown seasons (2010-12).

His five double-digit touchdown seasons (2010-12, 2014-15) are the most by a tight end in NFL history.

Became the only tight end in NFL history to post three seasons of 1,000 yards receiving and 10-plus touchdowns in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

Gronkowski's 66 overall touchdowns are second in team history behind Stanley Morgan's 68 and his 65 receiving touchdowns are also second, behind Morgan's 67.

In 2015, became the seventh Patriots player to reach 5,000 yards, reaching the plateau in just his 72nd NFL game, the second fastest tight end to reach the milestone. Kellen Winslow reached 5,000 yards in his 69th NFL game.

His 20 100-yard receiving games and 65 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in Patriots history.

Twenty 100-yard performances are tied for fifth most and 65 touchdown receptions are third-most for a tight end in NFL history.

Gronkowski and QB Tom Brady have connected on 64 touchdown passes, most in team history and second most between a quarterback and tight end in NFL history.

Gronkowski recorded his 50th career touchdown reception in his 59th career game - 33 games (or two full seasons) earlier than the next fastest tight end. Antonio Gates reached 50 touchdown receptions in 92 games. Additionally, Gronkowski is the fifth player in NFL history to have 50 or more touchdown catches in his first five seasons, joining Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Lance Alworth and Andre Rison.

Named NFL All-Pro in 2011 and Associated Press First-Team All-Pro in 2014 and 2015.

Earned Pro Bowl selections in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015

Named to the USA Today All-Joe Team in 2010.

Finished his rookie season with 10 receiving touchdowns, establishing a record for most touchdown catches by a tight end in Patriots history and most touchdown receptions by a Patriots rookie. Only Mike Ditka (12) had more touchdowns as a rookie tight end in NFL history than Gronkowski's 10.

Owns the NFL record for postseason touchdowns by a tight end with nine.

In 2015 with his 144-yard game in the AFC Championship at Denver (1/24), Gronkowski joined Deion Branch (4) and Wes Welker (3) as the only Patriots to tally at least three 100-yard performances in the postseason. He also joined Vernon Davis (4), Keith Jackson (4) and Dallas Clark (3) as the only tight ends in NFL history with at least three 100-yard receiving games in the postseason.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2016 (6/4)

Named a co-captain for the first time.

Was inactive due to injury in the season-opening night win at Arizona (9/11) and in the season home-opener vs. Miami (9/18).

Saw limited action as a reserve at tight end in the win vs. Houston (9/22).

Passed former Patriot TE Ben Coates on the list of receiving yards among NFL tight ends after making his first reception of the season with an 11-yard catch in the fourth quarter vs. Buffalo (10/2) to reach 5,566 career yards.

Made his first start of 2016 and finished with his 21st career 100-yard game after catching five passes for 109 yards in the win at Cleveland (10/9). Tied with Antonio Gates for the fourth-most 100-yard games by an NFL tight end.

Finished with seven receptions for a career-high 162 receiving yards in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/16). His 162 receiving yards marked his 22nd career 100-yard game and second-straight 100-yard day of the 2016 season as well as the fifth time in his career he has had consecutive 100-yard games. Moved past Irving Fryar into fourth place on the Patriots all-time receiving leaders list with 5,837 career yards. Caught his first touchdown pass of the 2016 season with a 4-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to increase his career total to 67 touchdowns.

Tied Stanley Morgan for the most touchdowns overall and most touchdown receptions in team history with his 36-yard score on a pass from Tom Brady in the third quarter of the win at Pittsburgh (10/23). Moved into 14th place in receiving yards among tight ends with 5,930 after finishing the game with four receptions for 93 yards.

Moved past Stanley Morgan for the most touchdowns overall and most touchdown receptions in team history with his 53-yard score in the second quarter of the win at Buffalo (10/30) for his 69th touchdown overall and his 68th touchdown reception. The 53-yard touchdown reception was the second longest reception of his career. Also became the sixth New England Patriots player to reach 400 receptions and the 14th NFL tight end to reach 6,000 yards after finishing the game with five catches for 109 yards to increase his career totals to 402 receptions and 6,039 yards. His 109 yards at Buffalo marked his third 100-yard game of the 2016 season and the 23rd of his career to move him out of a third-place tie with Jackie Smith for sole possession of the third-most 100-yard games by an NFL tight end with 23.

2015 (15/15, 2/2)

Earned his fourth career Pro Bowl invitation.

Named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team, was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team and to the Sporting News All-Pro Team after leading all NFL tight ends with 1,176 receiving yards and tied for second among tight ends with 11 touchdowns.

Started all 15 regular-season games he played and registered 72 receptions for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Became the only tight end in NFL history with three 1,000-yard receiving and double-digit touchdown seasons and the first at his position with five seasons of 10 or more touchdowns.

Eclipsed 100 yards receiving five times in the regular season and once in the playoffs:

Week 2 at Buffalo (113)

Week 3 vs. Jacksonville (101)

Week 7 vs. N.Y. Jets (108)

Week 8 vs. Miami (113)

Week 10 at N.Y. Giants (113)

AFC Championship Game at Denver (144)

Started both playoff games and caught 15 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns.

Was inactive vs. Philadelphia (12/6) due to injury.

Hauled in five receptions for 94 yards and three touchdowns to tie his single game career high vs. Pittsburgh (9/10). His fourth career three-TD performance tied the Patriots record for most games with three or more touchdowns.

Caught seven passes for 113 yards and one touchdown at Buffalo (9/20).

Tallied four catches for 101 yards in the win vs. Jacksonville (9/27).

Caught six passes for 113 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown in the win vs. Miami (10/29). The game marked the third time in his career that Gronkowski has posted back-to-back 100-yard performances.

Caught five passes for 113 yards at N.Y. Giants (11/15), including a 76-yard touchdown that marked the longest reception of his career.

Caught six passes for 88 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown before leaving the game with a knee injury in the fourth quarter at Denver (11/29).

Returned to action in the win at Houston (12/13) after missing one game due to injury. Caught four passes for 87 yards and a one-yard touchdown.

Caught four passes for 86 yards at N.Y. Jets (12/27), including a 30-yard reception that pushed Gronkowski past Ben Coates (5,471) to become the Patriots all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end.

Caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the playoff victory vs. Kansas City (1/16). His two-touchdown performance marks the second multi-touchdown game of Gronkowski's postseason career.

Caught eight passes for 144 yards and a 4-yard touchdown with 0:12 remaining in the game in the AFC Championship at Denver (1/24). His 144-yard game marked his third 100-yard receiving performance in the postseason, one shy of the team record held by Deion Branch.

2014 (15/10, 3/3)

Earned his third career Pro Bowl invitation.

Named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team, was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team, the MMQB All-Pro Team and to the Sporting News All-Pro Team after leading all NFL tight ends with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Also named Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, PFWA Comeback Player of the Year and Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year after missing the final three games of the 2013 regular-season and playoffs with a knee injury.

Played in 15 regular-season games with 10 starts and compiled 82 receptions for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Eclipsed 100 yards receiving three times in the regular season and once in the playoffs:

Week 5 vs. Cincinnati (100)

Week 8 vs. Chicago (149)

Week 9 vs. Denver (105)

AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Baltimore (108)

Started all three playoff games and caught 16 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns, one in each game.

Was inactive for the regular-season finale vs. Buffalo (12/28).

Joined Jimmy Graham as the only tight ends in NFL history to post multiple seasons of 1,000 yards receiving and 10-plus touchdowns.

Scored 10-plus touchdowns for the fourth time - tied with Antonio Gates for most by a tight end in NFL history and most in team history.

Posted six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/5).

Tied career highs in receptions and touchdowns with nine catches for 149 yards and three scores in the win vs. Chicago (10/26).

Led the team in receiving with a career-high-tying nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown in the win vs. Denver (11/2). With the touchdown, he became the fastest tight end in NFL history to record 50 touchdown catches.

Started and caught four passes for 71 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown in which he broke several tackles, in the win at Indianapolis (11/16), moving him into second place on the Patriots all-time receiving touchdown list with 51 career touchdown catches.

Became the first tight end in NFL history with four 10-plus touchdown seasons after catching eight passes for 87 yards and one touchdown in the win at San Diego (12/7). San Diego's Antonio Gates achieved the same milestone one week later. Passed Randy Moss and Corey Dillon (3) for most 10-plus touchdown seasons in Patriots history.

Posted seven receptions for a game-high 108 yards and one touchdown in the AFC Divisional win vs. Baltimore (1/10). It was his second career 100-yard postseason game and his 46-yard reception in the first quarter was the longest in his playoff career.

Recorded three receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown in the AFC Championship Game win vs. Indianapolis (1/18).

Started and played every offensive snap in the Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1), finishing with six catches for 68 yards and one touchdown. His 22-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his sixth career postseason touchdown catch, tied for the second most by a tight end in NFL postseason history.

2013 (7/6)

Played in seven regular-season contests and made six starts. Caught 39 passes for 592 yards and four touchdowns.

Posted three 100-yard receiving games in 2013:

Week 7 at N.Y. Jets (114)

Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh (143)

Week 13 at Hosuton (127)

Missed all of training camp and was inactive for the first six games of the season with a back injury.

Was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 9 after suffering a knee injury vs. Cleveland (12/8).

Returned to action at N.Y. Jets (10/20) after missing the first six games of the season; started and led the team with a then regular-season career-high tying eight receptions for 114 yards. It was his 10th career 100-yard game, passing Ben Coates to set a new team record.

Set a new career high with nine receptions and added to his team record with his 11th 100-yard receiving game as a tight end, with 143 yards vs. Pittsburgh (11/3). Also caught his 39th touchdown pass from Brady, tying him with Randy Moss for the most touchdown receptions received from Brady.

Caught his 40th career touchdown pass from Tom Brady at Carolina (11/18), moving him past Randy Moss for the most touchdown receptions received from Brady.

Caught seven passes for 90 yards vs. Denver (11/24) including a key touchdown that cut the Broncos’ lead to 24-21 in the comeback overtime win.

Compiled six receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in his fourth straight game at Houston (12/1).

Caught two passes for 32 yards vs. Cleveland (12/8) before leaving with a knee injury and did not return.

2012 (11/11, 1/1)

Earned Pro Bowl honors for the second consecutive season.

Became the first tight end in NFL history with three straight 10-plus touchdown seasons - 2010 (10), 2011 (18), 2012 (11).

Started all 11 games in which he played and caught 55 passes for 790 yards (14.4 avg) and 11 touchdowns.

Injured his arm late in the win vs. Indianapolis (11/18), missed the next five games and returned for the regular season finale vs. Miami (12/30).

Started the Divisional Playoff game vs. Houston but left in the first quarter with an arm injury and did not return.

Was placed on Injured Reserve with an arm injury on Jan. 17, 2013.

Was inactive due to injury at Jacksonville (12/23), vs. San Francisco (12/16), vs. Houston (12/10), at Miami (12/2) and at N.Y. Jets (11/22).

Became the first tight end in NFL history with three straight 10-plus touchdown seasons after catching two TDs in the win vs. Indianapolis (11/18). Caught seven passes for 137 yards (19.6 avg )and two scores for the 12th game of his career with two or more touchdown receptions in a game and his third time doing so in 2012. Left in the fourth quarter with an arm injury.

Compiled three 100-yard receiving games in 2012:

Week 4 vs. Buffalo (104)

Week 9 at St. Louis (146)

Week 11 vs. Indianapolis (137)

Also posted three multi-TD performances:

Week 7 vs. N.Y. Jets

Week 8 at St. Louis

Week 11 vs. Indianapolis

Caught three passes for 31 yards (10.3 avg) and a touchdown in win vs. Buffalo (11/11). Now has at least one touchdown in each of his six career regular season games against the Bills, totaling nine scores.

Had his most productive game of the season with eight receptions for 146 yards (18.3 avg) and two touchdowns in the win at St. Louis (10/28).

Caught six passes for 78 yards (13.0 avg) and two touchdowns in overtime win vs. N.Y. Jets (10/21), marking the 10th game of his career with two or more touchdowns.

2011 (16/16, 3/3)

Started all 16 games, setting NFL tight end records for receiving yards (1,327), receiving touchdowns (17) and total touchdowns (18).

Started all three playoff games including Super Bowl XLVI and caught 17 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

Caught five passes for 87 yards (17.4 avg.) in a start in the AFC Championship game vs. Baltimore (1/22).

Started at tight end and tied an NFL record with three postseason touchdown catches in the Divisional Playoff game vs. Denver (1/14). Registered the Patriots 15th postseason 100-yard receiving game with 145 yards on 10 receptions.

Set the NFL all-time record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end in a single season and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week by catching six passes for a career-high 160 yards (26.7 avg.) and two touchdowns at Washington (12/11).

Joined Dallas Clark, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez and Todd Christiansen as the only tight ends in NFL history with 90-plus receptions, 1,000-plus yards and 10-plus touchdown receptions in a single season when he caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Became the first Patriots tight end to ever score a rushing touchdown and the first in the NFL since Tennessee’s Bo Scaife in 2006. He is the first tight end since the 1970 merger to have two receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in the same game.

Scored 10 or more touchdowns in back-to-back seasons (10 in 2010; 18 in 2011). Became the second tight end ever to have back to back 10-plus touchdown seasons, joining Antonio Gates (2004-05).

Accumulated five 100-yard receiving games.

Led the AFC in scoring among non-kickers with 108 points. Finished second in the NFL behind Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy’s 120 points. It is the first time in NFL history a tight end has led his conference in points scored.

Scored two or more touchdowns in seven games. The seven games with two or more touchdowns is an NFL record for a tight end. Antonio Gates (San Diego in 2004) and Jerry Smith (Washington in 1967) each had four two-touchdown games.

Recorded the 13th season in NFL history by a tight end with at least 90 receptions.

Strung together a team record six consecutive games with at least one TD.

Became the second player in NFL history to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, record a tackle, return and return a kickoff in a season joining Bo Scaife (Tennessee, 2006).

2010 (16/11, 1/1)

Played in 16 games with 11 starts and finished the season with 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Had 10 receiving touchdowns to establish a record for most touchdown catches by a tight end in Patriots history and most touchdown receptions by a Patriots rookie. His 10 touchdowns rank second in NFL history for touchdowns by a rookie tight end. Only Mike Ditka had more touchdowns as a rookie tight end (12).

Named to the USA Today All-Joe Team.

Became the fourth Patriots player all-time to record 10 or more touchdown receptions in a season, joining Randy Moss (three times), Stanley Morgan (twice) and Jim Colclough (once).

His 42 receptions were the second most receptions by a rookie tight end in Patriots history.

Played in and started his first NFL game in the season opener vs. Cincinnati (9/12) and scored his first career touchdown on his first career catch, a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the fourth quarter.

Became the first Patriots rookie to catch three touchdown passes in a game at Pittsburgh (11/14). He finished with 72 yards on five catches, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter, a 9-yard pass in the third quarter and a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter against the Steelers.

Posted his second multiple-touchdown game of his career with two touchdowns at Buffalo (12/26).

Registered his first 100-yard receiving game vs. Miami (1/2), totaling a career-high 102 yards on six receptions, including a career-long 28-yard reception.

COLLEGE

In two seasons at Arizona, Gronkowski registered more receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches than any other tight end in school history.

His 75 receptions and 1,197 yards surpassed previous career records held by Mark Keel.

Honors and Awards (2009): Named to the Watch Lists for the Maxwell Award (nation's most outstanding player), John Mackey Award (nation's most outstanding tight end), and the Rotary Lombardi Award.

Missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing back surgery.

Honors and Awards (2008): First-team All-Pac-10 Conference choice by the league's coaches and media, adding third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, Named to the Watch List for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding tight end. Selected John Mackey Tight End of the Week twice (vs. Washington, at Oregon).

Set new season records for Arizona tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns as a sophomore.

Rob and his older brothers Chris (DAL, IND, DEN, SD) and Dan (DET, DEN, NE, CLE) are one of just 10 families to ever have had at least three brothers playing in the NFL at the same time.

Rob and brother Dan were the first brother tight end tandem and only the fourth set of brothers to be on the Patriots active roster together in 2011.

His father, Gordon, lettered as an offensive guard at Syracuse (1977-81) and his great-grandfather, Ignatius Gronkowski, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris.

PERSONAL

Born May 14, 1989, to Diane and Gordon Gronkowski.

Has four brothers, Gordie, Dan, Chris, and Glenn.

His father Gordon owns a string of national fitness retail outlets and lettered as an offensive guard at Syracuse (1977-81).

Athleticism runs in the family, as brother Gordie was selected in the 49th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft by the Los Angeles Angels.

Dan played briefly for the Patriots in 2011 and several other teams after four-year career at Maryland (2005-08).

Chris, was a teammate of Dan's at Maryland before transferring to Arizona, where he was Rob's teammate, playing H-Back for the Wildcats (2008-09).

Glenn is a rookie fullback on the Buffalo Bills.

His great-grandfather, Ignatius Gronkowski, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris.

Attended Williamsville North High School (N.Y.) for three years before moving to Pittsburgh, and enrolling at Woodland Hills High School, where he played tight end and defensive end.

Earned University of Arizona Student-Athlete of the Month honors for April, 2008 as a pre-business major.

HONORS & AWARDS

2015

NFL Pro Bowl

Associated Press All-Pro First Team

Sporting News All-Pro Team

Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team

2014

NFL Pro Bowl

Associated Press All-Pro First Team

Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team

MMQB All-Pro Team

Sporting News All-Pro Team

Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year

PFWA Comeback Player of the Year

Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year

2012

AFC Pro Bowl

Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL Team

2011

AFC Pro Bowl

Associated Press All-Pro

Pro Football Weekly All-NFL Team

Sporting News All-Pro

Sports Illustrated All-Pro

AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Wk 14)

2010

USA Today All-Joe Team

Pepsi Rookie Player of the Week (Wk. 14 at Chicago)

Pepsi Rookie Player of the Week (Wk. 17 vs. Miami)

ROOKIE TE RECORDS

Gronkowski finished 2010 with 10 touchdowns to establish a record for most touchdown catches by a rookie tight end in Patriots history. He became the first Patriots rookie to ever record three touchdowns in a game (at Pittsburgh, 11/14). Gronkowski also set a Patriots rookie record for receiving touchdowns in a season.

PATRIOTS TE RECORDS

Gronkowski caught 17 touchdowns in 2011, giving him 27 career TD catches. His touchdown reception total in 2011 is second most in team history. In just two-plus seasons, Gronkowski has moved into second place on the Patriots all-time list among tight ends.

FASTEST TO 20 TDS

Gronkowski reached 20 career touchdowns faster than any tight end in NFL history (26 games) with a two-TD performance vs. Kansas City (11/21/11). Pro Football Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka previously held the record, achieving the feat in 31 games.

RECORD PRODUCTION

In 2011, Rob Gronkowski joined Dallas Clark, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez and Todd Christiansen, as the only tight ends in NFL history with 90-plus receptions, 1,000-plus yards and 10-plus touchdown receptions in a single season.

100-YARD GAMES BY A PATRIOTS TE

Gronkowski set a new team mark when he registered his 10th career 100-yard game after finishing with eight receptions for 114 yards at N.Y. Jets (10/20/13). It was his first 100-yard effort in 2013 after three such performances in 2012. In 2011, Gronkowski tied a team mark for a tight end with five 100-yard games. Ben Coates had five 100-yard games in 1994.

THREE STRAIGHT 10-TD SEASONS

Gronkowski has three straight 10 touchdown seasons (10 in 2010, 18 in 2011 and 11 in 2012). Gronkowski joins Randy Moss (2007, 2008 and 2009) and Corey Dillon (2004, 2005, 2006) as the only Patriots with three straight 10-plus touchdown seasons and three 10-plus touchdown seasons overall.